Apparatus for attachment to a loader

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a loader for moving materials. The apparatus includes a bucket having a first and a second end. A support is secured to the first end of the bucket for supporting the bucket relative to the loader. A front plate is pivotally secured to the second end of the bucket. A clam shell closure has a first and a second extremity. The first extremity is pivotally secured to the first end of the bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when the closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which the second extremity of the closure cooperates with the front plate, the materials are secured between the bucket, front plate and the closure. The apparatus also includes a device for pivoting the front plate from a first location for loading the materials to a second location in which the front plate cooperates with the second extremity of the closure for moving the materials.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a Complete application based on Provisional application USSN 60/251,436 filed Dec. 5, 2000. All the disclosure of USSN 60/251,436 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a loader.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials.

Information Disclosure Statement.

[0005] Farm tractors and loaders are often fitted with buckets for moving various materials such as hay and silage.

[0006] However, with a pivoting bucket having a bottom or base, it is not always possible to extract a load of material particularly if such material is fairly tightly packed.

[0007] The term farm tractor and loader are used throughout the present disclosure to include farm or industrial tractors, mixers or any mechanical means for lifting such as skid loaders or BOBCAT type loaders. BOBCAT is a registered trademark.

[0008] Clam shell type buckets have been proposed in which a bucket includes a clam shell type closure pivotally secured to the bucket. The arrangement with such prior art buckets is such that the operator pushes the bottom plate into the material and then closes the closure downwardly towards the front edge of the plate or tines in order to take a “bite” or load of the material from the remainder of the material. In order to assist in separating the bite from the remainder, such closures have been provided with sharp edges.

[0009] Nevertheless, and particularly when working with relatively tightly packed materials, there is a tendency for the materials to damage the bottom plate or tines.

[0010] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problem associated with the prior art arrangements by the provision of a bucket having a pivotally mounted front plate which when pivoted from a loading location thereof to a cutting or grab location, cooperates with a sharp or serrated edge defined by the clam shell type closure for reliably cutting and separating a block of silage or the like for transportation thereof.

[0011] Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a clam shell type bucket apparatus which makes a considerable contribution to the art of loading materials.

[0012] The apparatus according to the present invention also reduces the amount of secondary fermentation of the silage because the apparatus provides a clean cut through a block of the silage.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a front or rear loader. The apparatus includes a bucket having a first and a second end. A support is secured to the first end of the bucket for supporting the bucket relative to the loader. A front plate is pivotally secured to the second end of the bucket. A clam shell closure has a first and a second extremity. The first extremity is pivotally secured to the first end of the bucket. The arrangement is such that in operation of the apparatus, when the closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which the second extremity of the enclosure cooperates with the front plate, the materials are secured between the bucket, front plate and the closure. The apparatus also includes a device for pivoting the front plate from a first location for loading the materials to a second location in which the front plate cooperates with the second extremity of the closure for cutting a silage block and for moving such materials.

[0015] In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the bucket further includes a base of generally rectangular configuration. The base has a front edge, a rear edge, and a first and second side edge. A rear wall extends upwardly from the rear edge. A first and a second sidewall extend upwardly from the first and the second side edges of the base respectively.

[0016] Also, each of the sidewalls is of triangular configuration, with each sidewall extending from the rear wall to the front edge of the base.

[0017] Additionally, the support means includes linkage means extending between the loader and the first end of the bucket. The linkage means is pivotally secured to the first end of the bucket.

[0018] A telescopic cylinder extends between the linkage means and the bucket for pivoting the bucket about the linkage means.

[0019] Also, a control means controls the cylinder in order to adjust the position of the bucket relative to the loader.

[0020] The front plate includes an upper and a lower plate, each upper and lower plate having a forward and a rearward end. The upper and lower plates converge toward each other in a direction toward the forward ends.

[0021] The front plate also includes a tubular portion of generally C-shaped cross sectional configuration. The tubular portion is rigidly secured to the rearward ends of the upper and lower plates.

[0022] Also, the front plate further includes a supporting rod, which extends through the C-shaped tubular portion. The rod is rigidly secured to the second end of the bucket. The arrangement is such that pivoting of the front plate relative to the rod and the second end of the bucket is permitted.

[0023] The front plate includes a mounting bracket and a coupling means such that when the bracket is moved, the front plate pivots about the second end of the bucket.

[0024] The closure includes a roof which has a first and a second lateral edge. The roof defines a front and a back wall.

[0025] A first and a second lateral wall extend from the first and second lateral edges of the roof respectively. The arrangement is such that when the closure is in the closed disposition, the front wall cooperates with the front plate.

[0026] More specifically, the front wall defines a serrated or sharp edge which cooperates with the front plate when the plate is disposed in the second location thereof so that material within the bucket is cut and separated by an interaction of the serrated edge and the front plate.

[0027] The means for pivoting the front plate includes at least one linkage arm having a first and a second end. The first end of the linkage arm is pivotally secured to the closure while the second end of the arm is pivotally connected to the front plate. The arrangement is such that when the closure is moved from the open disposition thereof towards the closed disposition thereof, the linkage arm pivots the front plate from the first towards the second location thereof.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a first actuator pivots the closure between the open and the closed disposition thereof.

[0029] Also, a second actuator pivots the front plate between the first and second locations thereof.

[0030] Additionally, an actuator control is operably connected to the first and second actuators for selectively permitting independent movement of the closure between the open and closed dispositions thereof and for pivoting of the front plate between the first and second locations thereof.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the actuator control is operably connected to the first and second actuators for permitting sequentially linked movement of the closure between the open and the closed dispositions thereof and for pivoting the front plate between the first and second locations thereof.

[0032] Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings. However, such variations and modification fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus according to the present invention showing the apparatus in the open disposition thereof;

[0034]FIG. 2 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but with the apparatus in the closed disposition thereof.

[0035]FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0036]FIG. 4 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 5 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 3 but shows an alternative arrangement in which tines are secured to the closure;

[0038]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0039]FIG. 7 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 6 but shows the closure in the closed disposition thereof.

[0040] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus generally designated 10 according to the present invention for attachment to a loader generally designated 12 for loading materials M. The apparatus 10 includes a bucket 14 having a first and a second end 16 and 18 respectively. A support means generally designated 20 is secured to the first end 16 of the bucket 14 for supporting the bucket 14 relative to the loader 12. A front plate 22 is pivotally secured to the second end 18 of the bucket 14. A clam shell closure generally designated 28 has a first and a second extremity 30 and 32 respectively. The first extremity 30 is pivotally secured at 33 to the first end 16 of the bucket 14. The arrangement is such that in operation of the apparatus 10, when the closure 28 pivots from an open disposition thereof as shown in FIG. 1, to a closed disposition thereof as shown in FIG. 2, in which the second extremity 32 of the closure 28 cooperates with the front plate 22, the materials M are secured between the bucket 14, front plate 22 and the closure 28. The apparatus 10 also includes means generally designated 34 for pivoting the front plate 22 from a first location for loading the materials M as shown in FIG. 1, to a second location as shown in FIG. 2 in which the front plate 22 cooperates with the second extremity 32 of the closure 28 for moving the materials M.

[0042]FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bucket 14 further includes a base 36 of generally rectangular configuration. The base 36 has a front edge 38, a rear edge 40, and a first and second side edge 42 and 44 respectively. A rear wall 46 extends upwardly from the rear edge 40. A first and a second sidewall 48 and 50 respectively extend upwardly from the first and second side edges 42 and 44 of the base 36 respectively.

[0043] Also, each of the sidewalls 48 and 50 is of triangular configuration, with each sidewall 48 and 50 extending from the rear wall 46 to the front edge 38 of the base 36.

[0044] Additionally, the support means 20 includes linkage means 52 extending between the loader 12 and the first end 16 of the bucket 14. The linkage means 52 is pivotally secured at 53 to the first end 16 of the bucket 14.

[0045] A cylinder 54 extends between the linkage means 52 and the bucket 14 for pivoting the bucket 14 about the linkage means 52 as indicated by the arrow 56.

[0046] Also, a control means 58 controls the cylinder 54 in order to adjust the position of the bucket 14 relative to the loader 12.

[0047] The front plate 22 includes an upper and a lower plate 60 and 62 respectively, each upper and lower plate 60 and 62 having a forward and a rearward end 64 and 66 respectively. The upper and lower plates 60 and 62 converge towards each other in a direction towards the forward end 64 of the plates.

[0048] The front plate 22 also includes a tubular portion 68 of generally C-shaped cross sectional configuration so that the portion defines a hole disposed at the rearward end 66. The tubular portion 68 is rigidly secured to the rearward end 66 of the upper and lower plates 60 and 62.

[0049] Also, the front plate 22 further includes a supporting rod 70 which extends through the C-shaped portion 68. The rod is 70 is rigidly secured, for example by welding 72 between the rod 70 and the second end 18 of the bucket 14. The arrangement is such that pivoting as indicated by the arrow 74 of the front plate 22 relative to the rod 70 and the second end 18 of the bucket 14 is permitted.

[0050] The front plate 22 includes a mounting bracket 76 which defines a hole 78 such that when the bracket 76 is moved as indicated by the arrow 80, the front plate 22 pivots about the second end 18 of the bucket 14. The hole 78 or other coupling means such as a ball joint coupling or any type of linkage coupling permits the front plate 22 to pivot about the second end of the bucket 14.

[0051] The closure 28 includes a roof 82 which has a first and a second lateral edge 84 and 86 respectively. The roof 82 defines a front and a back wall 88 and 90 respectively.

[0052] A first and a second lateral wall 92 and 94 respectively extend from the first and second lateral edges 84 and 86 respectively. The arrangement is such that when the closure 28 is in the closed disposition as shown in FIG. 2, the front wall 88 cooperates with the front plate 22.

[0053] The front wall 88 defines a serrated or sharp edge 96 which cooperates with the front plate 22 when the front plate 22 is disposed in the second location thereof as shown in FIG. 2 so that the material M within the bucket 14 is cut and separated be an interaction of the serrated edge 96 with the front plate 22.

[0054] The means 34 for pivoting the front plate 22 includes at least one linkage arm 98 having a first and a second end 100 and 102 respectively. The first end 100 of the linkage arm 98 is pivotally secured about pivot 101 to the closure 28 while the second end 102 of the arm 98 is pivotally connected to the front plate 22. The arrangement is such that when the closure 28 is moved from the open disposition thereof, as shown in FIG. 1, towards the closed disposition thereof as shown in FIG. 2, the linkage arm 98 pivots the front plate 22 from the first towards the second location thereof as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, a first actuator 104 pivots the closure 28 between the open and closed disposition thereof.

[0056] A second actuator 106 pivots the front plate 22 between the first and second locations thereof.

[0057] Also, the actuator control means 58 is operably connected to the first and second actuators 104 and 106 respectively for selectively permitting independent movement of the closure 28 between the open and the closed dispositions thereof and for pivoting of the front plate 22 between the first and the second locations thereof.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, an actuator control means 58 a is operably connected to a first and a second actuator 104 a and 106 a respectively for permitting sequentially linked movement of the closure 28 a between the open and the closed dispositions thereof and for pivoting of the front plate 22 between the first and the second locations thereof.

[0059]FIG. 5 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 3 but shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of tines 200, 201, 202 and 203 are rigidly secured to a closure 28 b. As shown in FIG. 5, a front plate 22 b defines a sharp cutting edge 204 so that interaction of the tines 200-203 with the edge 204 cuts through the materials M for separating a block of silage or the like from the materials M.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the front plate 22 could be replaced by a plurality of tines arranged to pivot together about the rod 70.

[0061]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a single actuator 300 pivots the closure 328 between the open and the closed dispositions thereof. FIG. 6 shows the closure 328 in the open disposition.

[0062]FIG. 7 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 6. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the single actuator 300 pivots the front plate 322 between the first and second locations thereof. Also, in FIG. 7, the closure is shown in the closed disposition. A lost motion arm 400 by movement of the closure 328 as indicated by the arrow 402, pivots the plate 322 to come into engagement with a serrated edge 404 of the closure 328.

[0063] An actuator control 358 is operably connected to the single actuator 300 for permitting movement of the closure 328 between the open and the closed disposition thereof and for pivoting the front plate 322 between the first and second locations thereof as shown respectively in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0064] The present invention provides a unique apparatus for efficiently and effectively cutting through silage and the like for transportation thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: a bucket having a first and a second end; support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader; a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket; a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure; and means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a clam shell type bucket apparatus; said bucket further including: a base of generally rectangular configuration, said base having a front edge, a rear edge, and a first and second side edge; a rear wall extending upwardly from said rear edge; a first and a second sidewall extending upwardly from said first and second side edges of said base respectively.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each sidewall extends from said rear wall towards said front edge of said base.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means includes: linkage means extending between the loader and said first end of said bucket, said linkage means being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket: a cylinder extending between said linkage means and said bucket for pivoting said bucket about said linkage means; control means for controlling said cylinder in order to adjust a position of said bucket relative to the loader.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front plate includes: an upper and a lower plate, each upper and lower plate having a forward and a rearward end, said upper and lower plates converging toward each other in a direction toward said forward ends; a tubular portion of generally C-shaped cross sectional configuration, said tubular portion being rigidly secured to said rearward ends of said upper and lower plates.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said front plate further includes: a supporting rod which extends through said C-shaped tubular portion, said rod being rigidly secured to said second end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that pivoting said front plate relative to said rod and said second end of said bucket is permitted.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said front plate includes: a mounting bracket; coupling means secured to said bracket such that when said bracket is moved, said front plate pivots about said second end of said bucket.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said coupling means is ball joint type coupling.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said coupling means is a linkage type coupling.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure includes: a first and a second lateral wall extending from said first and second lateral edges respectively, the arrangement being such that when said closure is in said closed disposition, said front wall cooperates with said front plate.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said front wall defines a serrated edge which cooperates with said front plate when said front plate is disposed in said second location thereof so that material within said bucket is cut and separated by an interaction of said serrated edge with said front plate.
 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting said front plate includes: at least one linkage arm having a first and a second end, said first end being pivotally secured to said closure, said second end of said arm being pivotally connected to said front plate, the arrangement being such that when said closure is moved from said open disposition thereof to said closed disposition thereof, said linkage arm pivots said front plate from said first towards said second location thereof.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including: a first actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof; a second actuator for pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof; an actuator control operably connected to said first and second actuators for [selectively] permitting independent movement of said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including: a first actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof; a second actuator for pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof, an actuator control operably connected to said first and second actuators for [selectively] permitting sequentially linked movement of said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof.
 15. An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: a bucket having a first and a second end; support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader; a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket; a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure; means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof; a plurality of tines extending from said second extremity of said closure; and said front plate defining a sharp edge for cooperating with said tines.
 16. An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: a bucket having a first and a second end; support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader; a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket; a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure; means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof; said front plate including: an upper and a lower plate, each upper and lower plate having a forward and a rearward end; and a tubular portion defining a hole disposed at said rearward end, said tubular portion being rigidly secured to said rearward ends of said upper and lower plates.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting said front plate includes: at least one linkage arm having a first and a second end; a gear sector mechanism secured to said second end of said linkage arm, said gear sector mechanism being connected to said closure, the arrangement being such that when said closure is moved from said open disposition thereof to said closed disposition thereof, said gear sector mechanism pivots said front plate from said first towards said second location thereof.
 18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting includes: a single actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof; said single actuator also pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof; an actuator control operably connected to said single actuator for permitting movement of said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof. 